2. cables
  3. 127600-2130

Who thinks $5K speaker cable really better than generic 14AWG cable?

I recently ordered high end speaker, power amp, and preamp to be installed in couple more weeks. So the next search are interconnect and speaker cable. After challenging the dealer and 3 of my so called audiophile friends, I think the only reason I would buy expensive cable is for its appearance to match with the high end gears but not for sound performance. I personally found out that $5K cable vs $10 cable are no difference, at least not to our ears. Prior to this, I was totally believe that cable makes a difference but not after this and reading few articles online.

Here is how I found out.

After the purchase of my system, I went to another dealer to ask for cable opinion (because the original dealer doesn't carry the brand I want) and once I told him my gears, he suggested me the high end expensive cable ranging from $5 - 10K pair, depending on length. He also suggested the minimum length must be 8-12ft. If longer than 12ft, I should upgrade to even more expensive series. So I challenged him that if he can show me the difference, I would purchase all 7 AQ Redwood cables from him.

It's a blind test and I would connect 3 different cables - 1 is the Audioquest Redwood, 1 is Cardas Audio Clear, and 1 my own generic 14AWG about 7ft. Same gears, same source, same song..... he started saying the first cable sound much better, wide, deep, bla...bla...bla......and second is decently good...bla...bla...bla.. and the last one sounded crappy and bla...bla...bla... BUT THE REALITY, I NEVER CHANGED THE CABLE, its the same 14AWG cable. I didn't disclosed and move on to second test. I told him I connected audioquest redwood but actually 14AWG and he started to praise the sound quality and next one I am connected the 14awg but actually is Redwood and he started to give negative comment. WOW!!!! Just blew me right off.

I did the same test with 3 of my audiophile friends and they all have difference inputs but no one really got it right. Especially the part where I use same generic 14awg cable and they all start to give different feedback!!!

SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? OR I AM THE LAST PERSON TO FIND OUT THAT EXPENSIVE CABLE JUST A RIP OFF?
sautan904
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
These threads can be most entertaining for sure so at risk of upsetting EVERYBODY I am just going to throw this out there.

Surely there are only so many ways you can make a piece of cable whose sole purpose is to transmit signals from A to B?
Surely there is a point where no amount of money is going to improve this function to any measurable degree?
Do not get me wrong, I am not advocating we all hook up our speakers with bell wire but once up to a certain point of construction that is it?
Maybe I am a luddite but I did manage to change out the 30 year old QED 14g speaker wire about 2 years ago for some Canare quad core stuff. Did I hear a difference? Not really...lol. Maybe this old fart is just going deaf from working in heavy industrial plants too long.

And to the point of industrial cable, we have quite a number of wiring installs  that carriy analog signals that ABSOLUTELY have to have no noise or hum or interference of any sorts and the spec is dictated by the manufacturer of the equipment. Now you can ignore this and go with cheaper stuff but do you know what the price difference is? It is roughly double for the high end stuff. Not 10 times, or 100 times or 1000 times.....
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
 
mitch2

Geoffkait: You need to look deeper, grasshopper. Look inside.

Why look inside....does the hook-up wire inside of the $99K amp need to be changed too?

Definitely. If it were up to me I'd use cryo'd pure silver wire or silver over pure copper wire for the internal wiring. With special attention to the directionality of the internal wire. Ditto all capacitors, transformers, and of course fuses. I'm betting the $99K amps don't even have their fuses in the right direction.

2channel8
760 posts
 
uberwaltz,

Thanks for my new word of the day: Luddite
As to the subject at hand, I just spent $110 on a cable, the IC that goes from my phonostage to my pre-amp. I spent this exorbitant amount because I tried a $65 IC form the same company (WireWorld) that truly bested an AQ Evergreen IMHO, which favors detail rather than warmth. The $65 cable impact is proven beyond my doubt by two things. A blindfolded prisoner being able to correctly call it out, and the recent purchase of an SHM-SACD that is too bright.  I can use the Evergreen to calm it down. So maybe it was worth it.

As for the $110, not so much. Back to being cheap, but with more certainty.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Glad you have been illuminated 2channel8 with a very good new best word.....lol.
Seriously though my cables probably total $500 for all speaker and interconnects against close to $20k equipment. Really find it hard to bring myself to spend more especially on something like power cords.....
But you never know.......
bache's avatar
bache
566 posts
 
 More experience in cable listening and comparison you will get only
after 3-4 hours listening  
More to discover